Getting Found on Google - What's a Local Business to do?

It's one of the most frequent questions we get - "Why aren't I - or how can I - appear near the top of Google search results for my local small business?" This is referred to as "local SERP" which stands for Search Engine Results Pages for local online searches - especially those searches conducted using Google. So, what ARE the factors of your business' online presence that determine if your business shows up among the top results of Google searches? 

The most recent data conclude that just TWO items make up HALF of the reason that your business either will, or will not, appear in the top search results locally. 

They are:

1. Your Google Business Listing (often referred to as Google My Business or GMB)
2. Your Online Reviews.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing more detailed posts on exactly how to maximize the value of each of these two important online business assets (yes you NEED to consider each as an actual asset) capable of increasing your online presence and, ultimately, your business.

But, for now let's make sure you have some necessary background info on Google Business Listings:

1. First, make sure your business has one. You probably do, even if you never created one. Google will create a business listing for you based on searches and your online presence, even if you did nothing. To find out, do a Google search for your business name. If you have a GMB listing it will appear on the right side of the search results screen and look something like this: 
2. If you have one and didn't know it, you'll need to claim ownership of the listing. Don't worry, we can show you how.
3. If a Google Business Listing doesn't appear in your search results, one probably doesn't exist yet. Trust us, you want one! We can show what to do next.

As noted above, an optimized, correct Google Business Listing is one of the most important assets your business can have. Stay tuned. In future posts we'll describe what you need, and how to get it.

After that, we'll take on the topic of online reviews - how to get them, how to "manage" them and how to respond to them. 

If you want to increase your online presence, buckle up - we're about to "take off".